Switch vs DS Sales Comparison in Japan - December 2023 - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted on 02 February 2024 / 5,965 Views
The VGChartz sales comparison series of articles are updated monthly and each one focuses on a different sales comparison using our estimated video game hardware figures. The charts include comparisons between the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, as well as with older platforms. There are articles based on our worldwide estimates, as well as the US, Europe, and Japan.
This monthly series compares the aligned Japanese sales of the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo DS.
The DS launched in December 2004 in Japan and the Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017. Therefore, the normal holiday periods and the Japanese Golden Week holiday for the two consoles do not lineup.
Switch Vs. DS Japan:
Gap change in latest month: 415,267 - Switch
Gap change over last 12 months: 2,372,087 - Switch
Total Lead: 1,015,431 - DS
Switch Total Sales: 31,835,447
DS Total Sales: 32,850,878
December 2023 is the 82nd month that the Nintendo Switch has been available for in Japan. During the latest month, the Switch has outsold the DS by 0.42 million units when you align the launches.
In the last 12 months, the Switch has outsold the DS by 2.37 million units. The DS is currently ahead of the Switch by 1.02 million units.
The 82nd month for the Switch is December 2023, while for the DS it is September 2011. The Switch has sold 31.83 million units, while the DS sold 32.85 million units during the same timeframe. The DS sold current Switch sales in month 73.
The DS has sold 32.99 million units lifetime in Japan. The Switch is currently 1.15 million units behind the lifetime sales of the DS.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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Nintendo Switch will beat NDS sales after the golden week, Save this comment. :)
I hope you are right!
I've never seen a sale trending chart like the Switch one. I mean, not only is practically a 45 degree line instead of a declining curve with occasional jumps during the Christmas holiday seasons, but it has oddly changed that way right at the 31st month of sales. What did exactly happen during that month to trigger such a dramatic change of pace?
The official pandemic was announced in March 2020, month 36 for the Switch. So 5 months back is Oct 2019. In Oct 2019, Ring Fit Adventure was released along with Luigi’s Mansion 3.
Don't forget the release of Switch Lite in September 2019 and Animal Crossing: New Horizons in March 2020 as the third highest launch of any Nintendo published game.
Oh, I totally forgot about the Switch Lite. That was definitely what caused the ~45 °
Thank you both for the replies. I knew the pandemic was a big factor, but I also knew that it happend a little later. So, it was a mix of factors that led to that increase, which was then sustained by the pandemic. It would be interesting to see what the curve would be in three years time, but I guess the new console from Nintendo will probably put an halt on the current one, killing it abruptly.
I personally do not expect the next console to have a pure handheld version, like Switch Lite, until 2-3 years after release. So until then, the Switch Lite will continue to sell. But that will still be a -75% drop in sales.
There are also rumors that the next console will be $400-$450 and won’t have an OLED screen. We will get the chance to see if Japanese buyers prefer the OLED to a new console. Which will be interesting because the OLED in Japan is the top selling console for the past year and a half (about).
The long slog to breaking the Japan record is almost over. Just months away! Switch may end up at 35m lifetime when its all over. An unbeatable record??
Crazy how it was performing softer than 3DS for 2 years and will end up beating the DS
Its 2011 for ds. 3ds released that year. Thats why sales not much
The Switch is not going to pass the DS in Japan. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: The Switch is projected to sell 0.05mil during 2024 with all these rumors roaring around about Switch 2. Come September 2024, Nintendo will swiftly “yank” (i.e. discontinue) the Switch from market: Lifetime sales will be 31.885mil in Japan. (Trust me y’all.)
naaaahhhh, after the Golden Week in japan, the Nintendo Switch sales will beat Nintendo DS
no the Switch will literally sell 0.05mil units for the remainder of 2024. That’s all. 50k in Japan is all that’s left.
March 2025 release for the Super Switch, base Switch beats the DS by two million + in Japan.
How about the Super Nintendo system!
ok, troll
there’s a distinction between a troll and somebody making such an outrageous claim that it’s comedic.
I guess you're right. Sorry
no need to apologize lol. you’re good
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